[78-L] Alvino Rey and The Kings

[Geoffrey Wheeler]

Speaking of Alvino Rey, Al simmons says:“Good band..good charts. He 
opened with "The Strip Polka"  Hot stuff. Next number "The Major and 
The Minor"

Earl Bostic made an excellent recording of his and Redd Evans tune “The 
Major and the Minor” for Majestic. The sound is “boxy,” as though it 
were recorded in a closet. The Alvino Rey Bluebird recording of the 
tune is also excellent. Both recordings should be better known.

A surprising band of the early Forties was Shep Fields’ reeds orchestra 
that recorded for Bluebird. The recordings feature wonderful 
arrangements and playing, and the band swings nicely. When he was 
featured, Charlie Shavers generally took excellent solos that made him 
a distinctive sound and stylist. He could just about blow everybody 
else off the stand. He was also a standout with the Raymond Scott 
Orchestra on CBS stateside and short-wave broadcasts.